What it’s for
- Repels/controls: aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, small caterpillars, leafhoppers.
- Not a silver bullet: Works by contact + smell. It’s not systemic and won’t fix heavy infestations alone—pair with hand-squishing, pruning, or row cover.
You’ll need
- Garlic: 2 whole bulbs (≈ 20 cloves), peeled
- Hot chili: 2–4 fresh hot peppers or 2 tsp dried flakes or 1 tsp cayenne powder
- Water: 1 quart/L for extraction + 3 quarts/L for dilution (makes 1 gallon/4 L total)
- Mild liquid soap: 1 tsp (as a surfactant; Castile or unscented dish soap)
- Vegetable oil (optional): 1 tsp (helps it stick)
- Gear: blender, saucepan, fine strainer + cheesecloth/coffee filter, funnel, spray bottle, gloves + eye protection
- Label + date (future-you will thank you)
Step-by-step
- Suit up. Gloves and eye protection. Capsaicin is funny exactly zero times in your eyes.
- Blend the mash. Add garlic + chili to blender with ~2 cups (500 ml) water. Pulse to a chunky slurry.
- Warm extract. Pour slurry into a saucepan, add the rest of the 1 quart/L water. Simmer (don’t boil) 5–10 minutes, stirring. Kill heat.
- No stove? Cold-steep covered 12–24 hours.
- Cool & strain. Let it cool completely. Strain through a fine mesh, then again through cheesecloth/coffee filter. The clearer it is, the less your sprayer clogs.
- Add helpers. Stir in 1 tsp mild soap (+ 1 tsp oil, optional). Go easy to avoid foam.
- Dilute. Pour concentrate into a clean jug, top up with water to 1 gallon/4 L total.
- Tender plants/seedlings: go weaker (1:6–1:8 concentrate:water).
- Stubborn pests: try stronger (1:2–1:3) after a spot test.
- Label & date. “Garlic-Chili Spray – [today’s date].” You’ll feel very official.
How to use (so it actually works)
- Spot test first. Spray a few leaves; wait 24 hours. If no burn, proceed.
- Timing: Early morning or evening, under 85°F (29°C). Avoid hot sun/windy conditions.
- Coverage: Shake well. Spray tops and undersides of leaves until just glistening—not dripping. Avoid open blooms to protect pollinators.
- Frequency:
- Preventative: every 5–7 days
- Active outbreak: every 2–3 days for a week, then weekly
- After rain/overhead watering: Reapply.
- Edibles: Safe for food crops—rinse produce well before eating.
Storage
- Keep the concentrate in the fridge, tightly sealed, up to 7–10 days. If it grows fuzz or smells… wrong-er than garlic, toss it.
- Keep out of reach of kids, pets, and unsuspecting roommates.
Variations (choose one, don’t make a potion)
- Onion boost: Add ½ onion to the blend for extra oomph.
- Ginger twist: 1–2” (2–5 cm) ginger piece—mildly antifungal scent.
- No fresh chilies? Use 1 tsp cayenne per quart/L.
- Stickier mix: 1 tsp vegetable oil per quart/L (emulsify well by shaking).
Safety & good-neighbor notes
- Wear gloves, avoid eyes/skin. Wash hands/tools after.
- Don’t spray near pets or where the breeze will perfume your neighborhood like an Italian restaurant on fire.
- Protect beneficials: aim carefully, avoid blooms, and spray at dusk/dawn when pollinators are off-duty.
Troubleshooting
- Leaf burn/spots? Too hot/sunny or too strong—spray in cooler hours and dilute more.
- Clogged nozzle? Strain finer; rinse sprayer after use.
- “It’s not working.” Ensure full coverage + repeat applications. Combine with pruning, water-blasting aphids, and removing badly infested leaves.
Quick recipe card (copy/paste/save)
2 bulbs garlic + 2–4 hot chilies + 1 qt/L water → simmer 5–10 min → cool → strain → add 1 tsp mild soap (+1 tsp oil optional) → dilute to 1 gal/4 L → spray weekly (or every 2–3 days for outbreaks).
Leave a Reply